GHANA
DEVELOPING
COMMUNITIES
ASSOCIATION
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PARCS TVET
Project to help strengthen social cohesion in strategic cross-border areas
Implemented by the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA) in partnership with Acting for Life (AFL), the PARCS TVET Project supports youth from cross-border areas in Northern Ghana to gain employable skills. The initiative promotes social cohesion and inclusive economic growth through vocational training and local job creation.
Background
In Northern Ghana, youth unemployment remains high due to limited access to quality vocational education and decent work opportunities. This situation, coupled with tensions between crop and livestock farmers in cross-border areas, threatens social stability. The PARCS TVET Project responds to these challenges by offering certified, market-relevant training and fostering peaceful coexistence and collaboration between communities, local authorities, and private-sector actors.
Objectives
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Provide certified and practical training in construction and agriculture to 240 young people (ages 18–35) from six northern districts.
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Promote youth employability, entrepreneurship, and economic independence through practical skills development.
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Strengthen cooperation between local authorities, training institutions, and private sector actors to improve the quality of TVET delivery.
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Contribute to peacebuilding and social stability through inclusive job creation and community engagement.
Activities
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Conducted stakeholder consultations with district assemblies, traditional leaders, women’s groups, and associations of persons with disabilities to guide youth selection.
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Training modules implemented (2023–2025):
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Construction: Electrical installation, plumbing, tiling, and plaster paneling (POP).
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Agriculture: Beekeeping, organic vegetable production, organic poultry production, and agro-processing (soybean, sesame, moringa oil, tomato, garden egg, and pepper processing).
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Integrated life-skills sessions on communication, leadership, teamwork, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
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Equipped training centers with modern tools and materials to improve practical learning.
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Held follow-up visits and focus group discussions to assess progress, challenges, and integration into the job market.
Results
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120 youth from six northern districts trained and certified, with strong female participation and inclusion of vulnerable groups.
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Over 80 % of graduates engaged in income-generating activities or self-employment within six months of training completion.
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Enhanced collaboration among GDCA, AFL, and the Ghana TVET Service has strengthened the regional TVET ecosystem and alignment with national standards.
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Improved social inclusion, reduced vulnerability, and stronger community resilience in target districts.